‘Manila Shield’ activated

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is implementing measures aimed at securing Metro Manila against protest actions and destabilization plots against the Arroyo administration during the observance of Labor Day on May 1, the fifth anniversary of the Malacañang siege.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol would activate Task Force Manila Shield as early as April 30 to prevent labor organizations and militant groups from taking advantage of Labor Day to seek the ouster of President Arroyo.

As head of the Task Force Manila Shield, Querol would orchestrate, direct, and supervise the conduct of security operations to address various threats, including acts of terrorism.

"The NCRPO would secure government and private installations within Metro Manila, protect the people from any act of terrorism, violence and conduct sustained CDM (crowd disturbance management) and security operations," he said.

Reports reaching NCRPO intelligence chief Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr. showed that multi-sectoral and cause-oriented groups, numbering between 10,000 to 20,000, would converge at UST, Morayta, Welcome Rotunda, Ayala Avenue, Bantayog ng mga Bayani, Liwasang Bonifacio, Bonifacio Shrine, Plaza Salamanca, Bustillos and Mendiola on Labor Day.

Rojas said among the groups expected to conduct protest actions are the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela, Anak Pawis, Bayan, Bayan Muna, Pamalakaya, Kababaihan, NAHRA Youth, IBM-KMU, NAFLU, ANGO, Oust Gloria Coalition, Pangisdaan, NCCU, STL, FPJUB, PMP, Baklasin, PISTON and Kadamay.

"Security on Labor Day would be extra tight also because of threats by misguided elements to stage a coup on that particular day," said Rojas, adding that the NCRPO would be on full alert on April 30.

The NCRPO chief directed Rojas to monitor all threat groups and deploy intelligence teams to rally areas.

Under the Task Force Manila Shield are five sub-task groups.

Task Group Anti-Criminality, headed by Chief Superintendent Eric Javier, is responsible for the continuance of police operations against terrorists and criminal syndicates in the metropolis.

Task Group Antabay, under Chief Superintendent Napoleon Cachuela, is responsible for the deployment of CDM contingents from the five police districts, the Regional Special Action Unit (RSAU) and the Regional Headquarters Security Group (RHSG).

Task Group Heartland is responsible for the deployment of one company of the Special Action Force, the elite fighting unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP), as "inner security" within the premises of the Palace and one SAF battalion in surrounding areas as "outer security."

Task Group Rimland is responsible for the deployment of a tactical combat force from RSAU, which will be augmented by police personnel from Central and Southern Luzon.

Task Force Reserve would be responsible for the deployment of reserve forces, primarily composed of personnel assigned at the NCRPO regional directorial staff.

Querol directed the five police districts to have 300 CDM officers each ready for deployment to Mendiola and other areas of Metro Manila.

They were also asked to provide at least 100 men equipped with firearms to be attached to Task Group Rimland.

Querol said at least 300 CDM personnel from the NCR Command of the Armed Force of the Philippines would be placed on alert and ready for deployment if the need arises.

The Manila Police District was ordered to conduct 24-hour police visibility patrols at the Pandacan oil depot, US Embassy and other vital installations in its area of responsibility.

The five police districts were also directed to establish strong points to be manned by uniformed personnel to prevent the entry of demonstrators and "enemy forces" into the capital.

They will also establish mobile checkpoints and strong blockades in all avenues of approach by armed groups.

On Saturday, the NCRPO will hold a CDM competition among the five police districts at the Quirino Grandstand.